From the alumnae parade to a Saturday night dance party, Smith pulled out all the stops for second Reunion weekend. More than 900 alumnae traveled to campus from 40 U.S. states and 18 different countries for the festivities. President Kathleen McCartney told the alumnae gathered that they are "forever part of the Smith story."

Smith closed its academic year with an incredible send off for the class of 2017. More than 600 undergraduates received their diplomas along with some advice from media leader, philanthropist and actress Oprah Winfrey, who delivered the Commencement address. "Take care of yourself," she told the graduates. "Love yourself, because only people who love themselves have enough love to give to the rest of the world." Enjoy a recap of all the speeches and events related to Commencement and Ivy Day.

Katherine Hitchcock-Smith ’17 arrived at Smith four years ago “broken” and wary of trusting people, after seeking a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend. Smith, she says, “saved me.” Her classmates, faculty, and alumnae lifted her up, giving her the confidence to succeed. Later, a member of the class of 1984 told her, “We take care of our sisters.” During the month of June, help take care of the Smithies of today and tomorrow by giving to The Smith Fund. Watch Hitchcock-Smith share why your gift is so important.

Stephanie Mercedes’16 is among the 2017 recipients of the 43rd annual Light Work Grants in Photography. The Argentinian-American artist is interested in incorporating law and dissent into her work and investigating the role of photographic copyright in historical national memory. “Even for those who have no connection to Argentina or the history of human rights violations in Latin America," she says, "my work is about attempting to restore the missing fragments of historical memory."

Family, friends, former colleagues and community members came together on May 28 to celebrate the life of Smith’s eighth president, Mary Maples Dunn, whom many remembered as a gifted community builder, a loving mother and an exceptional leader in the world of higher education. Dunn died on March 19 at the age of 85. Her daughters, Cecilia and Rebecca Dunn, said their mother was a perfect role model. “She achieved that magical work-life balance and showed me how to do it,” Cecilia said. “What a gift for a mother to give her daughter.”

During a May 16 panel discussion on “The International Women’s Sports Movement: Frontiers of the Next Decade,” panelists sent a clear message: achieving gender equity in sports requires more than just increasing numbers; it means showing how sports can empower women and girls around the world. The discussion was held in honor of Christine Shelton, who is retiring as professor of exercise and sport studies after nearly three decades at Smith. Moderator Lynn Oberbillig—a former Smith athletics director who is now a lecturer in exercise and sport studies—noted that Shelton has “had her finger on the pulse of the international women’s sports movement for more than four decades.”

Selected items from the news media featuring Smith College people and programs